WW2 re-enactment returns to Accrington

With over 50 stalls already booked in, this year’s food festival will be bigger and better than ever! Now in its 21st year, organisers Scott Dawson Advertising have pulled out all the stops to make sure there will be food and drink from all over the world including: Asia, Africa, Europe and North America.

To entertain the thousands of people expected to attend, there will be a WWII re-enactment taking place in the grounds of St James’ Church in the town centre. There is a call-out for the whole town including mums, dads, grandparents and school children to get dressed up in 1940’s outfits and come down on the day to make the experience all the more realistic.

Every year re-enactment enthusiasts visit Accrington in their uniforms for the Food Festival, immersing themselves in the realism of re-enacting World War II, with dummy ammunition and real-fire sound, it has always been a hugely popular part of the day.

Scott Dawson Advertising who have organised the event in partnership with Hyndburn Borough Council, and the sponsors, have been working hard to ensure the day will be fun-filled and fantastic for all of the family. This year the event is being sponsored by: Duckworths Estate Agents, Accrington and Rossendale College and Quality Solicitors Acklam Bond. All based in Accrington, the sponsors are three of the most important ingredients to make the food festival a recipe for roaring success.

Jonathan Parkinson, Director of Duckworths Estate Agents, said:

“Duckworths have just celebrated 140 years of business – we were actually established in the same year as an Accrington lad, Sergeant Major George Lee, joined the army and was sent to South Africa where he fought in Rourke’s Drift at the age of 16. George was present at the conclusion of the battle the following year and returned home to Accrington before being enlisted elsewhere including serving in WW1 as an Accrington Pal. He retired in 1916 at the age of 49. I think the time frame since then, in 1878, and now, shows the longevity of the company – it’s thanks to support from the local people that this has happened and we wanted to sponsor the event as a means to give something back to the community who have given so much to us.”

“Alongside sponsoring the event, Accrington and Rossendale College will be getting involved with some of the entertainment. In keeping with the war re-enactment, some of the Army Cadet students will be coming down to the town on the day. We are proud of the different courses we have to offer at the college and we are hoping that having Army Cadet students being there on the day will not only bring a wealth of fun, but let the local people know what we do – we have a Military Academy at the college which is a course for 16-18 year olds to prepare them for relevant careers in public services or the army, it’s definitely something to boast about! We currently have 19 students in the academy but are always on the lookout for more.”

“We are urging people to get involved and dress up for the day. If there’s one thing this town can pride itself on it’s the sense of community. We really hope people come down and get involved, even if that means just putting on a 1940’s outfit for a couple of hours. Kids love dressing up and it’s a family event so definitely the perfect opportunity! We’re really looking forward to the day, particularly with the success of last year’s event and the 14,000+ visitors.”

Murray Dawson, Managing Director of Scott Dawson Advertising, said:

“There are still opportunities for people to be involved with the Food Festival. We urge for those who are interested to get in touch as soon as possible. The sheer volume of the 14,000 people who attend the Food Festival held in Accrington annually makes it the best-attended single-day event in the borough. It is a successful event, people really enjoy it. We are looking forward to holding it again this year and increasing footfall in the town centre.”

As well as numerous food and drink stalls, the entertainment of the WWII War re-enactment, and family-friendly games and rides, Accrington Food Festival will host celebrity chef, Richard Fox, who will be doing cooking demonstrations.

Accrington Food Festival takes place in Accrington town centre from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, June 2nd 2018. Find full details, including a downloadable brochure with the festival itinerary, at www.accringtonfoodfestival.co.uk

ABOUT US

TAKING place on Saturday 2nd June 2018, Accrington Food Festival is already set to be the biggest one yet, with more sponsors, more stalls and more entertainment than ever before.

This year’s event has three gold sponsors – Duckworths Estate Agents, Accrington and Rossendale College and Quality Solicitors Acklam Bond. All based in Accrington, the sponsors are three of the most important ingredients to make the food festival a recipe for roaring success.